Ahold USA joins initiative on farmworker pay

IMMOKALEE, Fla. (AP) _ A major U.S. grocery company has joined an initiative that requires its Florida tomato suppliers to increase farmworker pay and protect workers from forced labor and sexual assault.

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers announced Wednesday that Ahold USA is America’s first major grocer to join the group’s Fair Food Program.

Ahold USA is the parent company of Stop & Shop, Giant Foods of Landover, Giant Foods of Carlisle, Martin’s and online grocer Peapod. The represents 780 supermarkets across the country and 50 million customers each month. Ahold’s participation will increase the number of U.S. grocery stores carry Fair Food tomatoes by approximately 75 percent.

Ahold USA joins almost a dozen other corporations, including Walmart, Yum Brands and McDonalds, in the initiative.